Fire Crew Member

The majority of fire crews begin work in late April or early May and work until the end of August. Some crews remain working into September or even into October depending on fire conditions and activity.

Our fire crews usually work regular hours during the hottest part of the day, 10:30 to 18:30, when fires are most likely to start. The normal work shift is seven hours per day and 35 hours per week. A fire fighter is guaranteed a 3 - 5 month work term depending on location of employment and fire activity.

When on active fire duty, staff may work longer days and can remain on fire duty for up to 14 days before getting days off. For safety reasons, the actual number of days a fire fighter works on the fire line is limited and followed by days of rest or light duty.

If crews are not on a fire but the fire danger is high, fire fighters may be placed on standby, meaning they must be ready to respond immediately once a fire call comes in. Fire fighters may be placed on standby for extended periods throughout the fire season, including their weekends and after hours.

There's more to the job than just fighting fires. When fire crews are not on the fire line or engaged in training, they undertake a variety of activities and tasks to keep themselves busy. They may be asked to perform non-fire project work for Ministry of Forests and Range as well as other government ministries, municipalities, community groups and non-profit societies.

Project work provides personnel the opportunity to function as a team and helps develop skills and abilities of fire fighters. Many of the work opportunities are based in the forest and resource management field performing tasks such as fuel management, spacing and thinning, dangerous tree assessment, removing danger trees, clearing of road right of way, as well as assisting with prescribed burns and slash.

Fire fighters may also spend time working around the community. This work may includes trail building, painting, small construction projects, cutting and delivering fire wood to seniors or community groups, fire prevention presentations, parade appearances, or hosting tours of the attack base. Fire crews may be asked to participate in public awareness seminars conducted for schools, fire departments and home shows, or take part in National Forestry Week seminars and wildfire simulations.

Crews also undergo a great deal of physical and practical training activities through the course of employment. Whether it be fire suppression courses in the classroom, operating a pump or chainsaw in the field or physical fitness activities such 10 km runs or weight training. Our personnel are always developing their knowledge, skills and abilities.

Fire fighters also come to the aid of other emergency response agencies. Whether it's filling sandbags for a local flood control effort or travelling across the country to fight fires, for B.C.'s fire fighters, it's all part of the job.

1. All applicants will be reviewed and screened. Those who pass the initial screening will be contacted by email for an interview.
2. Interviews will be conducted in February and early March at various locations around the province.
3. Candidates are required to participate in a fitness assessment as part of the interview process. The assessment score is applied towards the overall score.
4. An eligibility list is created following the interviews and fitness assessment. Based upon the number of vacancies, candidates are invited to a training Boot Camp where they must pass a pre-employment fitness standard comprised of a "pack test" and "pump/hose test." Both components of the pre-employment standard are job-related and require upper and lower body strength and endurance (work capacity) to pass.
5. At the end of the Boot Camp, all successful trainees will be placed on an eligibility list to fill any vacancies throughout the province. Being named to the eligibility list does not guarantee anyone a job; however, it does mean you are among the available pool of candidates for possible crew vacancies that season.

In addition to being physically fit, highly motivated, and able to perform strenuous physical labour in extreme conditions with a variety of tools and equipment, applicants must also provide the following in their online application:

• Maximum 3 page resume plus cover letter.
• You must include 2 work related references with current phone numbers.
• One of the following WorkSafe BC Occupational First Aid tickets:
1. WorkSafe BC OFA Level 1 Ticket (or equivalent *) & Transportation Endorsement Ticket or
2. WorkSafe BC OFA Level 3 Ticket (or equivalent *) or
3. Contact info of first aid training provider for verification of enrolment in one of the above courses to be completed before the first day of the Boot Camp (end of April).
• If you do not meet any of the above first aid requirements you will not be eligible for employment. These certificates must be valid through September.
• * See WorkSafe BC website for acceptable first aid tickets and equivalencies in the BC workplace. http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/FirstAid/Certificates-BC.asp

Are there preferred qualifications for the job?

The recruitment process is highly competitive, and the following preferred qualifications are used to screen candidate applications:

• Extensive Resource or Wilderness work experience.
• Significant Resource training (Post secondary training in Forestry, Resource Management, Earth Science or other relevant training etc.)
• High level of academics or fitness achievement.
• WorkSafe BC recognized OFA Level 3 valid through to September of 2010.

A candidate must clearly detail in their resume and cover letter any preferred qualification they meet. Candidates lacking preferred qualifications will not be invited to an interview.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions about the 2010 fire fighter recruitment process.

Read about our different kinds of crews.